THE CRAFT
Sandalwood Carving
From the state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka earned the title of gandhadagudi, or the Land of Sandalwood, because of its century-old sandalwood craftsmanship. Hundreds of skilled craftsmen are spread across Bengaluru, Mysore, Shimoga, Sorab, Honavar, and Kumta.
These artisans use the soft, fragrant sigandha wood sourced from regional forests to create various artistic products with intricate carvings.
These artisans use the soft, fragrant sigandha wood sourced from regional forests to create various artistic products with intricate carvings.
Heritage Value
Sandalwood is integral to Indian culture. It's used in beauty rituals at home, in religious ceremonies, and is a part of indigenous fragrances. It finds mention in the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana. Sandalwood is revered in the ancient science of Ayurveda for its medicinal and spiritual benefits.
Historically, it was used for crafting idols of deities. The use of sandalwood began to get extended to incense sticks, fragrances and decorative items. Notable items include intricate carved boxes featuring birds, beasts, forest themes and mythological figures. Sandalwood incense sticks are used for a variety of rituals across religions.
The craft of sandalwood carving was traditionally practiced by the skilled Gudigar community of Goa. They later migrated to Uttara Kannada and Mysore during the Portuguese invasion. Artisans use saws, mallets, chisels and a variety of engraving tools to create relief, to chip, incise, and pierce the wood as part of the craft.
The artists first outline the patterns. Then, the designs are carefully carved by shaving away the residual wood. This helps capture intricate details, lighting effects, and textures. The hard yellow wood can be fashioned into unique combs, beads, and garlands. It can also be used to crafted stunning artefacts and famous boxes showcasing interlacing foliage, scroll-like designs, and figurines.
Historically, it was used for crafting idols of deities. The use of sandalwood began to get extended to incense sticks, fragrances and decorative items. Notable items include intricate carved boxes featuring birds, beasts, forest themes and mythological figures. Sandalwood incense sticks are used for a variety of rituals across religions.
The craft of sandalwood carving was traditionally practiced by the skilled Gudigar community of Goa. They later migrated to Uttara Kannada and Mysore during the Portuguese invasion. Artisans use saws, mallets, chisels and a variety of engraving tools to create relief, to chip, incise, and pierce the wood as part of the craft.
The artists first outline the patterns. Then, the designs are carefully carved by shaving away the residual wood. This helps capture intricate details, lighting effects, and textures. The hard yellow wood can be fashioned into unique combs, beads, and garlands. It can also be used to crafted stunning artefacts and famous boxes showcasing interlacing foliage, scroll-like designs, and figurines.
Memory Vault
Sandalwood trade is believed to have begun after Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, declared it as a royal tree. This established a monopoly on its trade from 1749. The practice was carried on by other Mysore rulers.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presented his Japanese counterpart, Funio Kishida, a sandalwood artwork during his India visit. It depicts Lord Buddha in a meditative pose with intricate carving of the Bodhi tree on the back. The gift was enclosed in a kadamwoodi jali box.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presented his Japanese counterpart, Funio Kishida, a sandalwood artwork during his India visit. It depicts Lord Buddha in a meditative pose with intricate carving of the Bodhi tree on the back. The gift was enclosed in a kadamwoodi jali box.
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